SSAA NSW

4 Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (NSW) Inc. Jai's Journal G'day and Thank you The year is flying past with Christmas almost upon us and SSAA NSW continues to grow from strength to strength. As I am still within my first year as your CEO, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank those of you who have taken the time to share your thoughts as to how to make SSAA NSW an even greater organisation. A big thank you to all our volunteers who donate their time at ranges, or volunteer on conservation projects. It does not go unnoticed. Record Funding Allocated to our Sport This report highlights many recent, positive achievements of our organisation, but the most important news to mention is that SSAA NSW has been investing in the sport, branches, ranges and volunteers more than ever. Earlier this year, we focused on overhauling systems to better serve members and reduce costs. For every dollar saved in administration, another dollar can be spent where it belongs: on you and our sport! Member Increase I am pleased to say that our efforts in increasing memberships are starting to pay off, with the addition of 900 new members in the month of August alone. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this outcome, particularly those of you who encouraged your female partners, friends and family to join. Our female membership is increasing. Please keep up the good work and remember a larger organisation can provide more services to members and advocate more effectively in the long term. My challenge to every member this month is to invite one person to join SSAA and try shooting. Wherever we go, SSAA NSW is recognised as the largest organisation representing the sport and the interests of law-abiding firearms owners. SSAA NSW Newest Branch I am pleased to report the establishment of SSAA NSW's newest Branch: SSAA Albury. On behalf of the NSW Board and all SSAA Members, we welcome the Albury members into the family. The Branch is already active, putting its hand up to host the 2020 SSAA (NSW) 5 Stand State Titles. SSAA NSW to Host Shot Expo 2020 Along with our Board, I am pleased to announce that SSAA NSW will play host to the SSAA Shot Expo next year. The SSAA Shot Expo is Australia's premier event for the Sports Shooting Industry and showcases shooting, hunting and outdoor trades to enthusiasts, those wishing to participate in the sport and the general public, with the view of improving public awareness, professionalism and safety. We look forward to seeing you there. Investing in Ranges Investing in ranges is one of our key focuses. With completion of recent projects, we can provide for more disciplines and more opportunities for law-abiding firearm owners to enjoy their sport. It was exciting to visit and inspect the recent upgrade to the 100 metre range and the brand new 200 metre range at Forbes with President Lance Miller, Junior Vice President Ben Smith and the Forbes Branch. Detailed planning for a new shooting complex at Dubbo is well and truly underway, which will shoot many disciplines and house a minimum 1,000 metre range for long range target shooting. It's full steam ahead in Dubbo, so that we can utilise the $3,000,000 funding from the NSW Government. We are working very closely with Armidale Branch, so the first stage of works can be carried out soon. This will allow for a development application to be submitted for another premier range. The long-awaited purchase of land at Temora is completed (subject to transfer papers being received). In addition, Macksville Branch and SSAA NSW have lodged a modification to the existing range to allow better use of the facility. As always, we have also been working with many other Branches and ranges about future-proofing existing ranges and providing advice. Grant Service I previously reported that it was my intention to establish a grants function for SSAA NSW. I am pleased to say that this is now up and running. We are currently working with 14 Branches to put in a funding application in order to upgrade 14 different ranges. This will be an ongoing service. SSAA NSW Strong Advocacy SSAA NSW engages all levels of Government and across agencies advocating for law abiding firearm owners' interests on many varied issues. Our advocacy is strong and always ongoing. Sometimes we are loud, sometimes we work diligently towards results, without fanfare on an issue. We consistently work from a position of strength and evidence- based research and we always have our members in mind. Some issues take a long time, whilst others are relatively short. This year there have been a number of wins, with a lot of issues heading in the right direction. We will update you as details come to hand. One such issue we have been working on is the firearms museum regulation. Before the last State election, this regulation insisted that all pistols and prohibited items that were on display at a museum needed to be rendered permanently inoperable. This would have had a large impact on SSAA NSW, as we have a museum frequented by 100,000 people every year. The impact would also extend to other museums and of course RSL clubs.

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